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Upper Yaquina TMDL

Proposed rule

Rulemaking contact: David Waltz, 503-432-7196

DEQ is conducting a rulemaking to establish Total Maximum Daily Loads to address the impairments to water quality standards and beneficial uses in surface waters in the Upper Yaquina River Watershed. These impairments are caused by excess bacteria and inadequate dissolved oxygen (due to excess solar radiation and phosphorus) and are addressed by identifying and quantifying sources of these pollutants. This rule will also establish a water quality management plan that includes pollutant management strategies, a list of parties responsible for developing management plans and implementing strategies, and a timeline to reduce pollutant loads and attain water quality standards.

The Upper Yaquina River Watershed is located in the Mid Coast Basin. For more information, please visit DEQ's Upper Yaquina Watershed TMDLs Project web page.

In February 2022, the Environmental Quality Commission adopted Oregon Administrative Rules amendments to allow adoption of TMDLs as rules, as well as issued by order, in alignment with authorities in Oregon Revised Statutes. For more information about that rulemaking process, please visit DEQ's rulemaking web page.

DEQ is convening an advisory committee to review the technical issues and fiscal impacts related to the proposed rules. In convening this committee, DEQ has appointed members that reflect the range of entities that are both directly and indirectly affected by proposed changes to the rules.


Public involvement

DEQ invites input on the attached rulemaking notification and supporting documents for the Upper Yaquina River Watershed Bacteria and Dissolved Oxygen Total Maximum Daily Loads. The comment period closes at 4 p.m. on July 11, 2023.

Submit comments

For more information, see the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which includes the notice and proposed rules.

Supporting documents
Public hearing: June 29, 2023, 2 p.m.

DEQ plans to hold one public hearing. Anyone may attend. This hearing is being held by webinar and teleconference only.

Join online via Zoom
Join by phone:
Call-in number: 1-253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 867 4112 8841
Passcode: 163079

envelopeGreen.gif Sign up for email or text updates on this rulemaking via GovDelivery.

EQC action

DEQ intends to submit the proposed rule changes to the EQC at their Sept. 14-15, 2023 or Nov. 16-17, 2023 commission meeting.